The Universal Design Rules Of Sharing A Home Office Space
Whether you share a home office by choice or out of necessity, there are unique challenges and spatial design requirements that need to be considered. Collaborating with a full-service interior design firm can help you avoid stress and costly mistakes, and will ensure an inspired space that is tailored to suit both of your tastes and individual career needs. With that said, here are some universal design rules to keep in mind when sharing a home office space.
Double Desks
A shared workspace requires two separate desks. Keep things cohesive and balanced with matching desks, and position them according to what your space will allow. If you are sharing a single space, options can include facing in the center of the room, side by side or running the length of a wall, or placement on opposite walls, either perpendicular or parallel. If your shared space is adjoined but separated by a wall, you will have a little more flexibility. In this case, it’s wise for each individual to claim their own area for some privacy and to curb distractions.
Personal Spaces
Regardless of spatial design, there are some situations where it would be prudent to stray from the first design rule. If your career paths are radically different (for example, Lawyer vs. Graphic Artist) you may prefer to showcase your personal style by choosing contrasting yet complimentary workspaces, as seen in this His and Hers Home Office in Rittenhouse Square by Stella Ludwig Interiors. This refined space suits the needs of both individuals, while maintaining a sense of unity. Here, a traditional and visually heavy wood desk opposes a delicate and more modern white work table. Warm brown and crisp white set the foundation, while a color scheme of dark blue and hot pink accents tie the two areas together.
Work Together
This final rule not only applies to the situation but also the planning, and it is undoubtedly the most important. Before you embark on a redesign, you need to make sure you are starting on the same page. One person’s vision and design aesthetic should not dominate the other if you are to successfully share a home office space. That is why it is vital to voice your tastes and opinions and to come up with an inspired solution that you can both agree on. Collaborating with a design firm can ensure that the finished result is a refined space that all parties will love and enjoy spending time in.
A shared home office can be a stunning showcase that inspires productivity, but only when done correctly. If you live in the greater Philadelphia area and are looking for assistance with your high-end, shared office space, contact us and schedule a complimentary 15 minute phone call to discuss how we can work together.
Stella Ludwig Interiors is an award-winning boutique design firm specializing in high-end residential design. Located in the historic Rittenhouse Square area, we service discerning professional clients, empty nesters, and busy executives, as well as international families living in the Greater Philadelphia region and beyond. We are known for creating distinctive interiors that exude elegance with style and panache, and feel privileged to work in an ever-changing creative industry that allows us to use our experience and talents to bring joy to those we serve. Stella Ludwig Interiors projects and ideas have been featured in Architectural Digest, Philly Home Magazine, Philadelphia Style, Philadelphia Magazine, Suburban Life magazine, Kravet Design Share and real estate and design industry blogs.